23-years old wicketkeeper Sanju Samson is very excited to play for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2018. The right-handed batsman is eagerly waiting to meet with the legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne, who is the mentor of Rajasthan Royals.
In the 2018 IPL Auction, Rajasthan Royals bought Sanju Samson for INR 8 crores. However, it will be not the first time for him to play for Rajasthan Royals. After making an IPL debut in 2012 for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Sanju had played for Rajasthan Royals from 2013 to 2015 before moving on the Delhi Daredevils (2016-2017) due to Rajasthan Royals’ two-year suspension from IPL.
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Talking about the IPL 2018, Sanju Samson told IANS, “I am blessed to be back in Rajasthan Royals and want to give my best to the team. I am eagerly awaiting my meeting with Warne and am looking forward to play under his directions. As I have never met him, my excitement is all the more increasing with each passing day. I will definitely be learning a lot from the veteran player.”
When he was asked whether the Rajasthan Royals is under pressure after the two-year break, he replied, ”Rajasthan Royals is known for its excitement, thrill, happiness and its players are known to be helpful to each other and hence I am delighted to be back in the team. There is no pressure kind of thing among players.”
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While English wicketkeeper Jos Buttler is in the Rajasthan Royals squad, it will be tough for Sanju to earn a place in the playing XI. However, the young Indian wicketkeeper has the strong belief in the team management as he quoted, “I strongly believe in giving my best. Buttler is a match winner and a fantastic player and I admire him for what he is. Also, I strongly believe in team management and will be happy to do whatever my management wants me to do.”
To achieving the international call-up, Sanju is facing a tough fight from the 20-years old Rishabh Pant who is a wicketkeeper and explosive left-handed batsman. Speaking about that, Sanju said, “I am concentrating on batting better as a cricketer; I really want to get better at what I am and improve my skills. Selection is not in my hand and hence I have stopped thinking in that direction.”
Sanju and his family have recently launched a sports academy in Thiruvananthapuram where they will bring out the cricket and football talent. Sanju’s father, Samson Viswanath, former Delhi Police constable and footballer in Delhi Police, will be coordinating the academy.
Speaking about the academy, Sanju said, “This academy will bring out talents in the stream of cricket and football. I will not be directly linked to it, but my family will be contributing there.
“This is not an academy started for monetary or capital benefits, but it is for service for the society; I live in coastal area, which I feel is in dire need of mentors. The players in the interiors of the country are ready to work out day in and day out but they don’t get right guidance. Hence, I took the initiative and launched it.”
Sanju was also asked that why he choose the cricket. He answered that the sporting family helped him to take the cricket as he quoted, “I enjoyed sports, had a background and hence I automatically headed in this direction.”
